Software

News & Opinion

Resurrecting the MacBook's Number Pad

Embedded keypad from WallStreet PowerBook.

Macworld's Christopher Breen answers a reader who says he misses
being able to press the Fn key and use the J, K, L, U, I, O, 7, 8, 9
keys as a number pad, as you could with older Mac 'Books, and asks if
there is any way to make that work with new MacBooks?

There is, Breen says. Download a copy of Takayama Fumihiko's free
KeyRemap4MacBook. This is a PreferencePane that lets
you remap the Mac's keyboard in interesting ways.

13", 15" MacBook Pro Boot Camp Audio Failure

MacNN reports that Apple's latest MacBook Pro offerings appear to
have an ongoing speaker audio-failure issue when running most varieties
of Windows in Boot Camp, with several users reporting speaker failures
- especially gamers who use Mac OS X for daily computing, then
switch to Windows to play games.

Tech Trends

Dell Releases Thin New Inspiron Z Laptops

PR: Dell is taking thin to an all-new level in
performance with its new Z model laptops. Featuring thinner, lighter
bodies, longer-lasting power-sipping batteries, and incredible
performance, the new Inspiron 14z and 15z feature widescreen displays,
ample hard-drive storage and a range of entertainment options, making
it easy to take your fun and entertainment on the road for extended
periods of time.

The thinnest-ever models of Dell's most popular consumer laptop PC,
the new Inspiron 14z and 15z are about 1-inch thin, slim enough to fit
in any bag, and feature the newest Intel Core Solo 2 ultra-low voltage
processors for extended entertainment capability and Web surfing. They
join the recently introduced Inspiron 11z, rounding out the Inspiron Z
portfolio of thin, power-sipping laptops.

Products & Services

FIN Stand for Unibody MacBook, MacBook Pro
Models

PR: Provider of
high-quality stands for Apple's MacBook line of computers, Fins-Up,
LLC, today announced the availability of the FIN for Apple's
MacBook/MacBook Pro Unibody models. Designed and manufactured to
exacting standards exclusively for Apple's MacBook line of laptop
computers, the FIN is constructed from durable 100% aircraft-grade
aluminum. The FIN boasts a beautiful powder coated finish which
perfectly matches the MacBook line.

The FIN easily attaches to the MacBook and sports equally easy
removal. When installed, the FIN tilts the MacBook to a perfect
ergonomic angle for typing and screen viewing. The FIN also serves as a
convenient handle that not only makes carrying the MacBook easier, but
aides with the insertion and retrieval of the MacBook from computer
bags. And when installed, the FIN provides beneficial heat dissipation
for the MacBook, helping to increase product longevity in the
process.

"We're very excited to bring the FIN for the Unibody models to
MacBook users around the world," said Tim Trombly, founder and CEO of
Fins-Up, LLC. "The FIN is really three superior products in one: a
stand, handle and cooling system that perfectly blends with the MacBook
to add to its overall form and function. Moreover, the price point
we've set means everyone can easily afford a FIN of their own."

Samsung 640 GB Spinpoint M7 Notebook Drive

PR: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced its new
640-Gigabyte (GB) 2.5" Spinpoint M7 internal hard disk drive. The new
640 GB hard drive, now the top-density drive of the popular M7 family,
has an areal density of 516-Gigabit per square inch for each 320 GB
platter, which is a 28 percent increase per platter over Samsung s
previous density-leading 500 GB hard drive. Samsung s new Spinpoint M7
model is designed for high-end mobile computing applications requiring
greater shock resistance without a compromise in performance.

With the addition of the new internal drive to the M7 series, our
customers will get the best viable combination of density, performance
and reliability that is essential for high-end notebooks and mobile
applications, said C.H. Lee, vice president, Storage sales &
marketing, Samsung Electronics. Samsung maximizes the density level of
its platters to enhance the reliability and stability of its internal
hard drives.

Increasing the areal density of 516-Gigabit per square inch raises
the total drive capacity without adding additional platters. By
maximizing capacity without increasing mechanical parts, the
two-platter 640 GB drive has lower power consumption levels and higher
operational stability compared to drives with a higher number of
platters.

The new M7 drive offers a shock resistance level of 400G (2 ms) in
operation mode and 900G (1 ms) when the power is off. An optimized
system-on-chip controller reduces the power consumption in both seek
and idle modes to the lowest level among comparable drives.

The Spinpoint M7 utilizes Samsung s proprietary SilentSeek!" and
NoiseGuard!" technologies to minimize noise-levels during drive
operation. The halogen-free drive complies with the European Union s
Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances
in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS).

Initial shipments will be available in Europe and the US from mid
September, with worldwide availability starting from late September.
The 640 GB Spinpoint M7 will begin shipping with a MSRP of $149.99.

All prices include the transfer of your current data to the new hard
drive. If your current hard drive is not working properly and the data
cannot be transferred, MyService will install a base OS on the new hard
drive. Data Recovery is also available. Your current drive is always
returned to you.

Common Symptoms

Flashing "?" Clicking noises. Slow access. These can all be signs of
a failing hard drive. If you suspect your drive may be failing, try to
back up important files ASAP.

Snow Leopard Upgrades

Upgrade your Intel Mac to Snow Leopard while your new hard drive is
being installed. The single user upgrade (from 10.5) is $29 and we'll
migrate your data at no charge.

Select the upgrade after adding a MacBook, MacBook Pro or MacBook
Air hard drive to your cart.

Store More

Quality Drives/Awesome Warranty

MyService installs only the highest quality brand new hard drives.
All hard drives come with 3 to 5 year warranties. If the hard drive
fails during the warranty period, MyService will replace it with a
brand new drive.

SATA vs. PATA

SATA and PATA refer to the technology used to connect hard drives to
the computer. SATA and PATA connections are physically different so the
drives are not interchangeable. SATA drives are found in the MacBook
line, while PATA drives are found in PowerBooks, Apple TVs and
iBooks.

MacBook & MacBook Pro Hard Drive Upgrades

120 GB Western Dig 5400 rpm $175

160 GB Hitachi 5400 rpm $205

160 GB Hitachi 7200 rpm $215

250 GB Fujitsu 5400 rpm $225

250 GB Hitachi 7200 rpm $255

320 GB Hitachi 7200 rpm $295

500 GB Samsung 5400 rpm $325

500 GB Seagate 7200 rpm $345

750 GB Western Dig 5200 rpm* $375

120 GB Solid State Drive $499

250 GB Solid State Drive $899

*For all Unibody MacBook Pro & 17" (Silver Keys) MacBook Pro
only.

PowerBook G4 & iBook G4 Hard Drive Upgrades

80 GB Seagate 5400 rpm $175

160 GB Western Dig 5400 rpm* $195

250 GB Western Dig 5400 rpm* $245

320 GB Western Dig 5400 rpm* $295

*Not available for iBook G3 or PowerBook G4 400/500 MHz

MacBook Air 1st Gen Hard Drive Upgrades

80 GB $245

64 GB SSD (Not Available)

MacBook Air 2nd/3rd Gen Hard Drive Upgrades

120 GB $295

128 GB SSD $995

1st gen MacBook Airs cannot use 2nd/3rd Gen drives and vice
versa.

All Prices include round trip shipping, installation & data
transfer. (Data transfer is included for all healthy hard drives. Data
may not be able to be transferred if the current hard drive experiences
issues during data migration or is failing. Round Trip Shipping and
diagnostics are free with any approved service. If you decide to
decline service once your laptop arrives at MyService, there is a $49
decline fee. Free RAM installation is valid with any other approved
repair. A $49 installation fee will apply for RAM installed without any
other service.)

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We believe in the long term value of Apple hardware. You should be able to use your Apple gear as long as it helps you remain productive and meets your needs, upgrading only as necessary. We want to help maximize the life of your Apple gear.

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We believe in the long term value of Apple hardware. You should be able to use your Apple gear as long as it helps you remain productive and meets your needs, upgrading only as necessary. We want to help maximize the life of your Apple gear.

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Welcome Image and Text

We believe in the long term value of Apple hardware. You should be able to use your Apple gear as long as it helps you remain productive and meets your needs, upgrading only as necessary. We want to help maximize the life of your Apple gear.